Update: Volkswagen Could Recall 500,000 Cars After It Faked Pollution Tests

It’s been a while since we had a juicy recall story, but thanks to Volkswagen we have a very juicy recall story indeed. It turns out VW has been placing a ‘defeat device’ into its diesel cars, which allows them to pass lab testing despite the fact they actually emit 40 times more than the emissions standard.

According to the BBC, "The illegal system allowed cars to detect when they were undergoing a smog emission test and lowered the rate of pollution. Those emission controls were then turned off during ordinary use."

A recall could cost the manufacturer £11.5bn ($18bn). The recall would affect Jettas, Beetles, Golfs, and Audi A3s made between 2009-2014, and Passats built from 2014-15.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has stepped up its pursuit of car manufacturers, pushing them to make cars cleaner and punishing those that don’t hit targets. In 2014, it fined Hyundai and Kia $300m for falsifying fuel economy figures.

Update: According to Automotive News, the EPA has not officially ordered a recall or imposed fines as the investigation is ongoing, however it has said it’ll "hold VW responsible" for recalling the vehicles to reduce emissions.